“Aid Procurement” Categories
By Jórge Lynch | July 3, 2008
Each category of Aid Procurement has a distinct characteristic that distinguishes it from the other and which is key to formulating an appropriate procurement strategy. For example, Humanitarian Relief Procurement is characterized by the need for short lead-times, procurement of goods would predominate, and readily available goods preferred, to meet immediate needs. Additionally, access to end user is a primary concern, as is distribution, storage and supply security.
Post-Conflict Reconstruction Procurement, on the other hand, as in the case of East Timor (same for Angola, parts of the Congo and Southern Sudan) would begin at the end of the Humanitarian Relief situation or could be independent of it. Post-Conflict Reconstruction Procurement, as the name implies, is characterized primarily by renovation/reconstruction of country infrastructure damaged and/or destroyed during the period of conflict. There’s need for rebuilding utilities infrastructure, roads, schools, etc. Goods and services procurement are also required. Short lead-time procurements are not a major concern, so the procurement process can begin to normalize, except when the required goods, services and works are crucial to prevent loss of life, further damage to infrastructure, or crucial to the running of an essential public operation.
Finally, International Development Procurement would have funds earmarked for specific projects agreed between the donor and the beneficiary country. Procurements under these conditions would (should) run smoothly. The prevalence of a specific procurement category would be dictated by the agreement between the donor and the beneficiary (grant/loan agreement or compact). Donor procurement guidelines are usually used or, sometimes, an amended version of the beneficiary country’s public procurement law and/or regulation.
Topics: Aid Procurement, Humanitarian Relief, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Procurement | No Comments »
“Aid Procurement” Defined
By Jórge Lynch | July 3, 2008
Aid Procurement is the acquisition of goods, services (consultant and non-consultant) and construction works with donor funds, whether bilateral, multilateral, or through a development bank, such as World Bank, or other donor agencies.
Aid funding is usually used during Humanitarian Relief situations, as well as when a country, such as East Timor, is recovering from Conflict (Post-Conflict Reconstruction), including for economic development, such as funding from the World Bank (through loans or grants) and, more recently, grants (compacts) by the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
Topics: Aid Procurement, Humanitarian Relief, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Procurement, World Bank | No Comments »
“Aid Procurement”
By Jórge Lynch | June 8, 2008
“Aid Procurement” is a term seldom heard of or used, but in 2001 its market value was estimated at more than US$50 billion (according International Trade Forum – Issue 4/2001). Aid Procurement can be divided into three distinctly important segments, each with its own characteristics: (1) Humanitarian Relief Procurement, (2) Post-Conflict Reconstruction Procurement, and (3) International Development Procurement (segment (2) introduced by me). I propose to initiate a discussion in order to appropriately define these terms so that they can be rightfully introduced into the Supply Chain Management Body of Knowledge given their importance to our present-day International Development arena.
Topics: Aid Procurement, Procurement | No Comments »